Chris Sutton branded his fellow BT Sport pundit Michael Owen a “caveman” in an extraordinary clash on live TV.
The two England stars were discussing concussion injuries during half-time of the Benfica v Ajax Champions League clash.
Lisandro Martinez and former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi clashed heads during the first half - and the Ajax star played on despite looking like he was in distress.
Sutton is a leading advocate for player welfare after his father Mike - also a former footballer - died in 2020 after suffering with dementia.
In December 2020, he stated that football was “in the dark ages” when it comes to facing up to the potentially disastrous consequences of head injuries, and has continued to vocally push for change since.
Asked if football needed to do more to protect players, Sutton said: “Absolutely. Until IFAB step up and change the concussion protocols, they are not looking after player welfare. Player welfare isn’t put right within the game.
"You saw the horrible incident at the weekend when Robin Koch carried on after a serious head injury. Football doesn’t care. It needs to start caring.
"He needs to come off the pitch to the sanctuary of the dressing room and get checked by an independent doctor. In the mean time, he is replaced by a temporary substitute so you are not numerically disadvantaged. It is common sense. Why are IFAB not stepping up?”
At this point, Owen replied: “Because bumps and bangs on the head,..”
But before Owen could finish, Sutton cut in, declaring: "Hang on a minute, concussion is a bump and a bang. How do you know that is not a concussion?”
Owen said: “If you take what you say to an extreme, every time they roll around holding their leg, they have broken their leg.”
And an angry Sutton responded: “Michael, that is the view of a caveman. Football needs to catch up”
Presenter Seema Jaswal then had to interrupt the duo to return back to the live action as the two sides returned to the field at the Estadio Da Luz, with tensions having substantially risen.
